SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A pilot killed this week when his helicopter crashed while attempting to lift logs in an Oregon forest has been identified as a former cast member of the History Channel series "Ax Men."

Portland TV station KPTV reports William Bart Colantuono appeared in season three of the show.

Producers issued a statement of condolences to the family and friends of the 54-year-old from Indialantic, Fla.

Federal investigators are trying to determine the cause of Monday's crash.

Witnesses told Linn County deputies the pilot released the logs before crashing, indicating he knew of a problem. Witnesses say they also saw a rotor separate from the copter before it flipped and crashed upside down.